All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 17, March 22, 2009

Last week Marcia Anderson notified the families of All Souls that at the end of this program year she would be stepping down as Director of our Sunday school.  When I first came to All Souls, Marcia explained that she would like to step down from this after a year or so, and I have been grateful to her for every minute of her work with our children and families.  She has taught me, even as she has taught our children.         

The children of All Souls sometimes harass their parents to bring them to church so they can learn from Marcia in class or participate in the activities she has planned.  In addition to soliciting and supporting other teachers, Marcia has planned and coordinated mission projects with the children, holiday parties, musical offerings, and—through it all—has offered her own extraordinary gift of pastoral care and presence with each family.  Marcia has agreed to help with some of the special parties and other events in the future, but would like a rest from the weekly responsibilities.            

There will be an opportunity later in the spring to thank Marcia formally for all of her work and love.  But I encourage you also to extend your own thanks, in your own way.  While Marcia’s movement from the basement classroom to the church pew will be an enormous transition for our parish, it offers us an opportunity to re-commit ourselves to the children of All Souls.
 
In the parish profile All Souls used to call a new rector in 2007, you stated that, “[While] fewer than 14 percent of our members are families with children living at home . . . young parents and their children will of necessity be an important part of parish growth . . . We need to focus on opportunities for older youth as well as maintaining momentum and enhancing learning opportunities for younger children.”

Over the next few months, the Vestry and I will be offering several opportunities for families to get together and talk about children’s Christian formation.  We want to hear hopes, expectations, dreams, and worries.  Together, we can discern where God’s Spirit may be leading us as a parish and how best to serve our families.  Thanks to Marcia (and those who have gone before her) for setting our standards so high and building a foundation on which we can grow.  John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Jim Capen, Polly Mitchell, Bob Colburn, Elizabeth McKee, Freddie Cameron, Robert Long, Richard Aherne, Frank Karel, Jimmy Hobbs, Mark, Jane Titterson, Barb Chaffee, Harriet Martin, Chris Cobb, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Anne Marie Morotte, Ron Biggs, Steve Coon, Dorothy, Cindy Harvey, Jerome & Mary Ann Gariff, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, and Ted Field . . . Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, David Jones, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.

Around the Parish . . . The Wise and Mature Luncheon will be held in the Undercroft on Wednesday, March 25, following the Noon Mass. Please RSVP to the parish office by Monday, March 23 . . . Join us for the Adult Forum this Sunday morning as we continue to explore ethical questions around life, death and in-between. This Sunday’s discussion will center around a video conversation about rights and responsibilities.  In this video, Archbishop Rowan Williams discusses human rights with his guests, civil rights lawyer Imran Khan and philosopher Jonathan Ree. Dr. Williams is concerned that society becomes static after rights are granted to particular individuals or groups. The forum meets at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft . . . Attendance Sunday, March 15 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 43; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 133 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $9,493.00. The plate offering was $608.50.

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers this Sunday at the High Altar, those in the Mary Chapel, and our sanctuary candle are given to the glory of God and in memory and thanksgiving for the life and work of Philip Leonard, given by Tom Mabon . . . The Fourth Sunday in Lent is known as Laetare Sunday, after the opening words in the traditional Latin choral introit for the day, “Laetare, Jerusalem,” “Rejoice, Jerusalem, … rejoice in gladness … exult and be replenished…” Because of this note of joy at the very beginning of the liturgy and additional themes running through the scriptures for the day, Laetare Sunday has a lighter feel to it and is a reminder that Easter is almost here, and our Lenten fast over . . . Wednesday, March 25 a major feast day within the season of Lent.  The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the Angel Gabriel’s message to the Virgin Mary and our learning from her response and her faithfulness. There are several opportunities for worship this year:  At All Souls, we will offer a Low Mass at Noon.  Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m., High Mass is celebrated at St. Paul’s Church, K Street, where Father Beddingfield is the guest preacher.

Yoga Workshop at All Souls . . .  Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m. . . . Modern Yoga has its roots in a 2000+ year-old philosophical tradition that teaches stillness of the mind and meditative contemplation as one way to get closer to the Divine. And what better way to observe Lent than to still the mind and engage in some meditative contemplation? Join All Souls parishioner Richard McKewen, RYT, as he leads a two-hour workshop on yoga theory and practice. The workshop is open to everyone, from beginners to experienced yogis. Part of learning to still the mind is learning to still the body through various physical poses. So be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing (gym clothes are ideal) and bring a beach towel. If you have a yoga mat, bring it along, too. And try not to eat for at least an hour beforehand. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Richard at stoligimlet@hotmail.com or 202-309-3566.

Early Music Workshop with Philip Cave . . . “The Elizabethans: Music for the court, chamber and chapel from William Byrd to Orlando Gibbons,” will be offered July 7 through July 12 this summer at the National Cathedral.  The workshop is for all levels of singers from advanced high school age and up, choir directors, and for those who simply wish to sit and listen and learn about this music. For more information, pick up a brochure in the choir room or go to www.chorworks.com.

 
HELP ALL SOULS "GO GREEN" . . . by joining a new committee forming to help the parish save energy, combat climate change, and improve our overall environmental stewardship. Those interested in improving All Souls' environmental stewardship will meet this Tuesday at the church at 6:30 p.m.  For information contact Jeff Wells at jeff.wells@starpower.net.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church

The Reverend John Beddingfield, rector; The Reverend Christopher Worthley, adjunct clergy;

Mr. Isaac Borocz, parish administrator; Dr. Philip Cave, director of music and organist;
Mr. Oscar Prado, sexton

2300 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008-1505

Voice: 202-232-4244, Fax: 202-232-8593

Email: allsouls1@aol.com

www.allsoulsdc.org

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